Tag Archives: pilot training

US Navy Investigates “Pervasive” Cheating on Nuclear Subs

The US Navy is reportedly investigating accusations of “pervasive cheating” among the members of the Navy’s nuclear corps.

After the cheating ring was discovered aboard the Groton-based submarine Memphis last November, the Navy fired the commanding officer and kicked off 10 percent of the crew. Navy officials said it reflected a rare lapse in integrity, but several former submarine officers told the AP for a story in August that it is not uncommon for sailors to receive answer keys or other hints before training exams.

The issue of competence has never been in question.  In fact, some have said the Read more

AT-6C Drops Laser Guided Bombs in Arizona

The AT-6C, a modified version of the T-6 currently used to train US Air Force and Navy pilots, has reportedly been used to deliver LGBs out of Tucson, Arizona.  The Air Force Reserve Command Test Center has been testing the AT-6C, which is explicitly not an in-development weapons acquisition program.

Though light attack is not an Air Force procurement program, AATC’s task is to report its findings to senior leaders early next year to help refine requirements…

As if to prove the point, the aircraft has a civilian N-number, rather than a military designation:

There aren’t too many civilian aircraft in the world equipped to Read more

The Language of the Fighter Pilot: YGBSM

Much of the fighter pilot lexicon is not suitable for the ears of Mom or the kids.  When translated, this is one of those terms.

YGBSM is short for “You Gotta Be Sh-tting Me,” which is obviously a term of shock, disbelief, or resignation at a realization of institutional stupidity.  Where did it come from, and why is it so popular in the fighter pilot community?

Lt Col Allen Lamb, USAF (ret.), wrote a first person account about being one of the Air Force’s (the world’s) first SAM-killers, otherwise known as “Wild Weasels:”   Read more

Report: F/A-18s Collided After Wrong Turn

According to the Military Times, the midair collision of two F/A-18s from Naval Air Station Fallon last year was the result of a very simple pilot error:

Shortly after takeoff, they moved into a “wall formation” with the Super Hornets four abreast, putting 1.2 nautical miles between the two planes that eventually would collide. The lieutenant commander was flying one of the two inside planes.

“90-right, go,” the lieutenant commander announced, signaling everyone to turn.

While the three other planes turned right, for some reason the lieutenant commander turned left. Read more

Navy: T-34 Crash was Avoidable

The report on the T-34 crash that occurred in New Orleans in January 2010 says the incident, in which the instructor pilot was killed, could have been prevented.

According to the Navy Times, the aircraft descended below required minimums without visually acquiring the runway.  The aircraft then impacted the water.  Both crewmembers climbed out; they didn’t have water survival gear.  They became separated, and the instructor pilot’s body was found a few days later.  The student Read more

Female Afghan Student Pilots Begin US Training

The Associated Press notes the beginning of training for four Afghan women who will ultimately be pilots in the Afghan Air Force.  They are undergoing language training this year and will begin their pilot training next year.

The ladies brought attention to the fact Afghanistan isn’t like it used to be:

For women in Afghanistan, said Afghan Air Force 2nd Lt. Masooma Hussaini, it’s not like “it was in Taliban times.” Her sisters are in school, women work in offices and, by next year, Hussaini and three other young women could be among their country’s first females piloting military helicopters.

The article notes some men in Afghanistan may not be ready for the change.  As the US begins its withdrawal, it will be interesting to see what becomes of the fledgling Afghan Air Force.

US Marine Pilots-to-be Lead in Afghanistan

Due to training timelines, it is not uncommon for new officers to wait up to a year or more for their pilot training course to begin.  Sometimes these officers are given other opportunities like the chance to obtain a Masters Degree or attend another professional course.  In other instances, they are held in an “awaiting pilot training” status, filling a sometimes menial position in another unit.

Thirteen new Marines took another path:

Instead, 13 active-duty lieutenants commissioned with aviation contracts are on the ground in Afghanistan, Read more

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